Cranston Asks Zschau to Back Safe Water Initiative

Democratic Sen. Alan Cranston on Saturday challenged his Republican opponent, Rep. Ed Zschau, to join him in signing a November ballot statement that will urge voters to pass Proposition 65, the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement initiative.

“The people of California are entitled to be able to turn on their kitchen tap water with confidence that they and their children can drink it without being poisoned,” Cranston said at a Los Angeles press conference.

“Yet six million Californians are presently drinking contaminated water. This is a disgrace . . . and this initiative gives the people of California the opportunity to take strong actions.

Area of Agreement

“While Mr. Zschau and I disagree on many other matters, I hope this will be an issue we can concur on,” Cranston said.

Cranston noted that he and Zschau recently signed a joint ballot argument that urges defeat of a November initiative that would quarantine AIDS victims.

“Toward the same end--the safety and public health of all Californians--I am asking you to join me in calling for the passage of the Safe Drinking Water Initiative,” Cranston said in a statement addressed to Zschau.

Zschau spokeswoman Sandra Conlan said in response, “Ed is studying this and will have a position on it in the not-too-distant future.”

The issue could present a problem for Zschau, a former high-tech businessman who has received most of his financial support in the campaign from business people.

Business Interests

The California Chamber of Commerce and some agribusiness interests have announced they will oppose the Safe Drinking Water initiative.

Cranston, who has always enjoyed business support in his Senate campaigns, was asked if he believes the measure is anti-business. He said he does not.

Asked about charges by some farmers that the initiative would prevent use of fertilizer and pesticides, Cranston replied:

“That, like the initial opposition to the measure by some business people, is based on inadequate study of the terms of the initiative. It would not prevent farmers from using certain pesticides and fertilizers so long as they do not cause pollution of drinking water. The initiative applies only to chemicals that are known to cause cancer, not to those suspected of causing it.